Surface Hoar Galore

Quick report

Weather

sunny

Ride Type

mellowSlopes

Stayed Away

alpineSlopes, convexSlopes, steepSlopes

Riding Quality

ok

Snow Conditions

hard, windAffected

Avalanche Conditions

avalancheConditionSound

We checked out Hasler today. With reports of surface hoar in the area, we chose to verify conditions with some sled cuts on small features and dig a couple profiles. Sled cuts in sheltered tree line produced cracking across the snow. In the profiles we found three surface hoar layers in the upper snowpack - and more growing on the surface. One of the buried surface hoar layers produced sudden results across entire test blocks. With these observations we decided to stop for a talk to re-evaluate the day's plan. This included discussing using good travel habits by, evaluating each slope on our way, having only one person on a slope at a time, as well as being mindful of overhead slopes. We were able to connect small slopes and mellow slopes to access higher ground. From higher up we could see the alpine was scoured with pockets of stiff wind slabs.

Weather

Wind Speed

windSpeedModerate

Blowing Snow

none

Sky Condition

fewClouds

Wind Direction

S

Temperature Trend

steady

Precipitation Type

none

Snowpack

Depth

90

Obs Type

point

Site Aspect

N

Test Fracture

sudden

Site Elevation

1500

Test Initiation

moderate

Cracking Observed

1

Test Failure Depth

35

Site Elevation Band

tln

Surface Conditions

newSnow, surfaceHoar, variable

Test Failure Layer Crystal Types

surfaceHoar

ECTP 16 CTM 17 x 2 down 35 on Dec 1st SH